Egypt turns to Kazakhstan for wheat in strategic shift to diversify imports
For the 2025-26 marketing year, wheat consumption is expected to reach 20.4 million tons, driven by food, seed, and industrial needs
EGYPT – Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, has made a rare move by purchasing wheat from Kazakhstan for the first time in at least 15 years, signaling a significant shift in its grain procurement strategy.
According to industry sources and port data, Egypt’s state grains buyer, Mostakbal Misr, acquired two cargoes of Kazakh wheat, approximately 11,000 and 21,000 metric tons, which arrived at Egyptian ports in mid-September 2025.
This marks a departure from Egypt’s traditional reliance on suppliers like Russia, Ukraine, and European nations. The move comes as Egypt seeks to diversify its import sources amid global supply chain uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions and logistical challenges.
Kazakhstan, a landlocked country that typically exports grain through Russia’s Black Sea ports, has not been a regular supplier for Egypt’s state purchases since at least 2010. However, its growing role as a strategic alternative highlights Egypt’s proactive approach to securing stable wheat supplies.
The state’s grains buyer official visited Kazakhstan earlier this month to explore further trade opportunities, underscoring Cairo’s intent to build a long-term partnership with the Central Asian nation.
Egypt’s wheat imports are critical to meeting the demands of its 108 million-strong population, projected to reach 124 million by 2030.
According to the recent USDA report, the North African country is projected to import 12.7 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat, up 1.6 percent from last year, driven by steady consumption growth resulting from sustained population growth.
The FAS anticipates a modest expansion in Egypt’s wheat harvest to 9.2 MMT for MY 2025/26, compared to 9 MMT in the preceding season. This projection reflects the influence of elevated government procurement prices, which have encouraged farmers to augment wheat cultivation and direct sales to state entities.
Authorities are offering guaranteed farmgate prices ranging from US$277 to US$290 per ton, a measure that has already helped secure nearly 4 MMT of locally produced wheat this year. However, domestic output accounts for only 50% to 55% of national wheat needs, which is compounded by the demands of an extensive subsidy program that provides affordable bread to the majority of the population.
Consumption is expected to reach 20.3 MMT, up from 20 MMT in MY 2024/25, largely due to food, seed, and industrial demand.
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